SPA SALES

[SLZER]

On a 17 day transatlantic Holland America Cruise on the Noordam, my wife treated herself to a facial in the spa.

Upon her returning, she has a bag with about 10 different products. Before I can ask, she offers that she had neglected her complexion badly and had to do something now before it was too late. With this guilt placed upon her, the attendant proceeded present these many products, spelling what deficiency each one would correct.

Of course my wife, slightly (OK, greatly) gullible, agreed she needed them. Upon checking out, the total for the treatment and products was $675, for about one hour of time and the products. She felt too bad to not take them, so he signed the bill, easily adding it to the shipboard account.

Being the frugal husband I am, I became outraged that they sold her these products upon putting her on a guilt trip and making her condition desperate. It caused a riff with us for several days. I complained to the Asst. Hotel Manager, who said it is common practice to promote products, but made no comment about the tactics.

Don't look for me on Holland America Again.

[nlb1050]

It isn't just HAL that does this. Happenned to me on Princess. our first cruise. And since then have been able to say NO. But it is not real easy.

[Trip]

Next time your wife goes to the spa, try this..Before any treatmant, tell the associate right up front, I will not be buying any products, so please refrain from the sales chat. Worked for me.

On any ship you sail, you will find this practice.

[rayb]

This happened to Helen once. So------I took the products back to the spa and demanded a refund. It was given.

So if you are presured with these sales pitches and do buy them you can demand a refund on their return.

Do as Trip says "say up front" No products will be bought so no sales pitch.

[rollerdonna]

I was hit with the same sales pitch on Princess recently, and when I made it clear I was not interested, and in a hurry to leave, the friendly employee suddenly became not so friendly, but I got out of there without any extra cost. Actually the cost of the treatment was way too expensive as it was!

donna

[arkiegal]

Happened to me on RCCL on our first cruise...... Luckily for me I have great skin and know it so it was easy to say "no" and keep saying it. I find this at land-based spas also, though, everyone wants you to but their products..... it's where the money is.

[CruisinK n J]

I've had that experience, as well, but I refused the spa that big sale. A woman should be able to look at all those bottles, tubes and jars and have enough common sense to realize that the bill is going to be a steep one. Look at it this way: it's not the spa's fault if the client has no back bone.

Judy

[Phil&Liz]

This is probably our biggest issue next to kids in the hottub/unattended/carrying on.

Correct me if I am wrong but the "services" are contract, not ships crew. It's like putting a Supercuts or Mssage Envy on the ship. They are not bound by anything substantial to curtail tactics.

It would be nice if somewhere on check in to the services one could place a check mark indicating the client refuses any product sales pitches.

We would be happy to not have spa, and for that matter art auctions, on ships.

Phil & Liz

[dezertcruzer]

Judy wrote, "Look at it this way: it's not the spa's fault if the client has no back bone. "

While I agree that you need to be responsible for your own actions and stand tall and not purchase anything you don't want to purchase, I also think that these high-pressure tactics take away a great deal from what is supposed to be a relaxing and enjoyable moment, one for which you pay a pretty steep price on any ship. That feeling of tension caused by the high-pressure sales tactic is not what you're paying good money for when you pay for the spa treatments.

[CruisinK n J]

I still think that one needs to be able to say no. It's just plain naivete to simply accept every sales pitch directed at you. I agree, too, with Phil and Liz that cruiselines should have some sort of policy with the spa contractor with regard to pressure tactics. I've been in spas where no such high pressure existed.

Judy

[Delft]

I dont go to spa's, its for me a waste of money. I was given once a treatment for a spa, I dont have time, I gave it away. For others they love it and they should do something that they love. However going to a spa for a facial doesnt mean you should get bombarded into buying garbage. I guess I am just far more to the point thasn others, I got no problem telling some one "enough, I am not going to buy and if you husstle and hassle me I will continue with a complaint". For those that bug me "buy buy buy", they get a no thank you, if it doesnt work, they get one darn cold look with a "get lost".

[justgr8fl2cruise]

Spa products, photos, paintings, pastries, clothes, jewelry, wine, bingo......etc, etc, etc.

And do you expect different? Really? Think about it.

When you purchase a cruise you purchase it from a business. Businesses exist to make money.

Nothing new. I paid almost 20 bucks for two sodas, one popcorn and a small box of candy at the local movie theater last weekend.

Yes it sucks ! But it is what it is. Thanks for letting me put in my two cents.

[justgr8fl2cruise]

I still enjoyed the movie!!!!!!!!

[CruiseNOID]

Has anyone tried the thing that if you get there early on the ship, go to the Spa and let them know if they need a volunteer for the Spa tour, you would be more than willing to volunteer for them?

I heard that if you did this and they said yes for you being their volunteer, you could get a free massage, etc but it will take a couple hours of your time on the ship for doing that. Does this really work????

I had read someone site that they do this every time and have not paid for a massage or facial since.

[katlady]

I just tell them I'm a licensed cosmetologist I already use good skin care products. As a licensed cosmetologist I get these products close to the wholesale cost.

[Phil&Liz]

Originally Posted by justgr8fl2cruise

Nothing new. I paid almost 20 bucks for two sodas, one popcorn and a small box of candy at the local movie theater last weekend.

Just to make some sense of this example.....theaters don't make money on ticket sales. The seats belong to 20th Century/Warner Bros, etc...the movie makers. The only way a theater makes money is on concessions.

Phil & Liz

[Trip]

I was sitting by the pool on one cruise, before we sailed, when a spa associate, came over and asked if I would like to be a model, for people passing through the spa, to make appointments etc, could see their work.

I got a shoulder & neck massage, and, some hair treatment. I was in heaven..I was like a wet noodle when I left the chair;)

[nlb1050]

I would love to be a model for the spa. Even if it was for the treatment at the time.

[Inis46]

As I am looking at the $200 worth of, yet to be used, spa products, bought on a cruise almost one year ago, I am chanting outloud....."I will NOT be a fool again, I will NOT be a fool again, ohmmmmmmmm......"